Cold Brake Failure Crash Closes Highway for Hours

Two drivers were injured but only one was transported for additional medical care following this morning’s crash on U.S. 23 near the bottom of Indian Creek Mountain in Virginia.

The crash, which transpired shortly after 6 a.m. near mile marker 50, closed the highway for several hours, and caused a huge spill of more than 100,000 gallons of liquid nitrogen, Virginia State Police Sgt. Michael Conroy said.

Conroy also said that Larry Dobbs, 55, from Jenkins, Ky., was taken for additional medical care after the crash. He was driving a 1997 Peterbilt tanker truck.

The other driver received injuries for which he was treated at the scene.

Dobbs was following Stidham down the mountain, on the southbound side of the highway, and discovered he was unable to slow down. His tanker then hit the rear of Stidham’s truck. The impact pushed Stidham’s tanker off the road to the right, and it careened into a ditch. Dobbs had reported to investigators that the brakes on his truck failed just before the crash.

Conroy said the crash investigation is still underway and that Dobbs’ truck is undergoing a thorough motor vehicle inspection today as well. A similar inspection might be conducted on the other truck.

Dobbs vehicle swerved off the road to left and into the highway median where it tipped and began leaking.

No charges have been filed in the crash, but the investigation is continuing, Conroy said.